For What Should We Prepare Our Children?

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. (Psalm 127:4)

Today’s big question: for what should we prepare our children?

As we continue to study this great family-focused Psalm, we come to a verse filled with hope. It tells us something about the structure of the Christian home. Our homes are not just walled cities protecting our families from the onslaught of the world. Christian parents should also anticipate the day when our children will take on their own battle.

This verse must certainly be read within the whole context of Scripture. Every child is ultimately responsible to God and must individually repent and receive Christ through faith for salvation. Our first responsibility in parenting as stewards before God is to share the gospel. We must teach our children from God’s Word so that they know the gospel message of Jesus Christ, understand the authority of God’s Word, and witness us worshipping God in our lives as parents. We must pray for our children continuously that they might know Christ.

What a joy it is when a child receives Christ. To God’s marvelous glory, He is a God of grace and salvation. His grace abounds in the salvation of every soul. What can be more pleasing for a parent than to see God’s grace at work in the heart of your own child?

Today’s verse turns the structure of our family from a fortress with walls to an army in battle. We go from defense to attack. Christian parents must have as our main priority to love and honor God in all we do. We have His Word that gives us truth—this is the instruction manual for our parental duties of raising and especially teaching our children. We have His central message of the gospel that we teach and live out in prayer, hoping that our children will know Christ. Today our children walk through the gate wearing the armor of God as weaponry for the great spiritual battle. This must be our prayer, and not for our own benefit, but for the glory of God.

Our children are given to us so that we might help them to know Christ, grow in Christ, live for Christ, and eventually go out into the world and help others to know Christ. We do not prepare our children for society or for ourselves, but for a life of serving the Lord.

Today’s big idea: we must prepare our children to live for Christ and spread His name.

What to pray: pray that the Lord would lead you in the tasks necessary for this preparation.